Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: 7mmstalker on August 04, 2013, 10:15:12 PM

Title: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: 7mmstalker on August 04, 2013, 10:15:12 PM: Went into the woods this last weekend with my son.
As we had finished setting up our tent and began to move gear into it, I noticed a 12" cedar tree that was pretty scratched up.
Started about 10-12 in from the ground up to around 9ft. hard to see the spacing between claws- too many marks- near the top it looked like about 1/2- 3/4in spacing. Not really deep either, the little cedar tree's bark was still intact and covering the tree completely.
I've not seen much of this, but do believe bears and cats do this to mark territory. Thinking that a bear that could reach that high would have done more damage. On the other hand wouldn't a cougar's claws cut more, also removing strips of bark?
I dunno, maybe some of you guys that have seen this stuff more than I could offer your expertise.
Sorry, wasn't able to get any pics, but I looked it over really good several times- this tree was on my "front porch" for the weekend!
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: Mudman on August 04, 2013, 10:27:55 PM: :dunno: lean towards cat.
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: ghostshell on August 04, 2013, 10:57:37 PM: fresh or old? could be from when snow is on the ground allowing the animal to reach a portion of the tree that appears more high pending on season. i have a spot with 12 foot in height marks but i figure the snows allowed this as i stated, curious all the same.
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: 7mmstalker on August 04, 2013, 11:17:34 PM: Seemed like at least some of the work was fairly recent, green fungus stuff left and right of scratched area and 3-4" long slivers of bark still hanging, not a substantial amount of snowpack there in winter either.
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: stringer on August 05, 2013, 10:20:28 AM: Cat claws are a lot sharper than bear. Check at the top where marks begin. Most bear scratchings I see are just a few marks, not shredded like a bobcat or cougar
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: stringer on August 05, 2013, 10:26:25 AM: Large spacing like thatand shallow marks also seem to point towards bear, their nails are broad, hence the shallower marks
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: stevemiller on August 05, 2013, 12:22:44 PM: also with bear scratches there is usually some claw marks that just dont quite penetrate the tree leaving a pencil like line instead of claw marks.(claws not quite as sharp on a bear as a cat )usually the (pinky) claws.but not always.mostly just like stringer here stated :tup:
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on August 05, 2013, 12:42:27 PM: Check for hair at 4-6 feet. Bears rub/scratch/bite and break branches to mark their areas.
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: bearpaw on August 05, 2013, 12:57:38 PM: If a bear dances in the forest does anybody hear it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIUHc65P-2I#ws)

What goes on when you are not there! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AihvuZiDhsg#)
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: stevemiller on August 05, 2013, 01:17:32 PM: Awsome videos Bearpaw thanks for sharing. :tup:
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: BsB on August 05, 2013, 01:32:05 PM: Quote from: bearpaw on August 05, 2013, 12:57:38 PM
If a bear dances in the forest does anybody hear it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIUHc65P-2I#ws)

What goes on when you are not there! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AihvuZiDhsg#)
Now that's a party I wish I was invited to!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: shredneck666 on August 05, 2013, 04:58:07 PM: great videos \
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: 7mmstalker on August 05, 2013, 05:01:50 PM: Seeing the tree that was worked over made me think of joining the trail camera club, seeing those two clips makes me want to a whole lot more.
Setting our camp at that spot for most of the weekend would discourage future visits to that tree wouldn't it?
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on August 05, 2013, 05:17:42 PM: Quote from: 7mmstalker on August 05, 2013, 05:01:50 PM
Seeing the tree that was worked over made me think of joining the trail camera club, seeing those two clips makes me want to a whole lot more.
Setting our camp at that spot for most of the weekend would discourage future visits to that tree wouldn't it?

Not if you fry bacon in the morning............. :tup:
Title: Re: Bear marking territory or cougar?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on August 06, 2013, 09:06:46 AM: Couple more examples......... see the hair on the last picture ?